Not quite, yet. With the position they're in, Krupp's handling him extremely carefully and doesn't want to take any risks. I'm not sure if he would have missed any games whatsoever had these been playoff games (or meaningful for making them). He's expected to be back on Sunday, though.

I'm seriously confused why Niederberger wasn't picked in the last draft... Sure, he's with 5'11''/180cm relatively small, but his play was great last season and is even better in this campaign.

@Maverick41, why do you think this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick41

Everybody is picking on his size, but he is so damn fast and athletic. I don't actually think he will make it to the NHL, but not because of a lack of talent, more due to a lack of opportunity. But I am sure he will become one of the better German goaltenders. And we have some good ones.

I really hope that he'll get an entry-level contract with a NHL team, even when he has to play in the AHL for an extended period of time. Everything else (like going back to Germany) would be a pure waste of talent imo, don't you think?

P.S.: Once again, thank you very much for this informative thread. I'm checking it daily and after you added some relevant informations about the players at the bottom of your post, this thread is even better.

I'm seriously confused why Niederberger wasn't picked in the last draft... Sure, he's with 5'11''/180cm relatively small, but his play was great last season and is even better in this campaign.

@Maverick41, why do you think this:

I really hope that he'll get an entry-level contract with a NHL team, even when he has to play in the AHL for an extended period of time. Everything else (like going back to Germany) would be a pure waste of talent imo, don't you think?

P.S.: Once again, thank you very much for this informative thread. I'm checking it daily and after you added some relevant informations about the players at the bottom of your post, this thread is even better.

I think he might get signed. He attended the Maple Leafs rookie camp and apparently impressed. I would think he'll at least get an AHL deal, which will keep him visible to NHL scouts. He could take a similar route to Antoine Roussel of the Dallas Stars.

I'm seriously confused why Niederberger wasn't picked in the last draft... Sure, he's with 5'11''/180cm relatively small, but his play was great last season and is even better in this campaign.

@Maverick41, why do you think this:

I really hope that he'll get an entry-level contract with a NHL team, even when he has to play in the AHL for an extended period of time. Everything else (like going back to Germany) would be a pure waste of talent imo, don't you think?

P.S.: Once again, thank you very much for this informative thread. I'm checking it daily and after you added some relevant informations about the players at the bottom of your post, this thread is even better.

Well, it seems to me that many NHL teams are sort of obsessed with size. They appear to be very skeptical of smaller players, especially goalies. Also there aren't that many goalie spots available in the NHL so it is already very difficult for any goalie to find a spot.

I hope some NHL team will give him another look, and if he makes a deep playoff run with the Colts, there is a good chance that happens, but even then it would still be a long way to go.

He might get an offer from an AHL team even if he is not signed by an NHL franchise. But the biggest issue will be how bad he wants this. Because, whether he is signed by an NHL team or an AHL team, he would surely make more money back in Europe. Other players before him have decided they'd rather take the money in Europe right now than gamble on some big payday in the NHL in a few years.

I don't know what plans Mathias has, but there are clearly still many obstacles in his way. I just think the odds of him making it all the way to the NHL are simply not that good at this point. Some years ago I was certain, that both Thomas Greiss and Timo Pielmeier would eventually play in the NHL. Pielmeier played 1 game in the NHL and is now playing in Landshut and next year in Ingolstadt. Greiss is an NHL goalie but with the number of games he is playing behind Niemi he might want to look for another job to pass the time.

Don't get me wrong, I think Niederberger is more talented than Pielmeier but for young goalies it is not just about talent and skill but also about being in the right place at the right time.

That being said I would be perfectly happy if he went on to play in KHL, Sweden or Finland, but i do hope he does not return to Germany to play in the DEL because I doubt could improve much in that league.

Korbinian Holzer has signed a two year extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs worth $725k the first year and $850k the second. Good cap hit for the Leafs and good for Holzer on earning the extension!

It is fun to read about this on the Leafs board. A few guys are clearly expecting a lot from rookie defensemen, but many Leafs fans seem reasonable enough to be willing to give him some time to develop.

I think at best Holzer can turn into a Dennis Seidenberg kind of player. At worst he should develop into a bottom pairing defenseman or maybe a 7th defenseman depending on the depth of the team he's on.

It is definitely good to see, that the Leafs have some confidence in him, getting this deal done early.

It is fun to read about this on the Leafs board. A few guys are clearly expecting a lot from rookie defensemen, but many Leafs fans seem reasonable enough to be willing to give him some time to develop.

I think at best Holzer can turn into a Dennis Seidenberg kind of player. At worst he should develop into a bottom pairing defenseman or maybe a 7th defenseman depending on the depth of the team he's on.

It is definitely good to see, that the Leafs have some confidence in him, getting this deal done early.

Yepp. He really should be on a lower pairing and if he was those negative posters would likely have a different opinion. I like his game though and he's shown improvement. I also don't think most people realize that guys from 'tier-2' hockey countries tend to take a bit longer to develop and reach their potential. I mean, Seidenberg and Sulzer didn't really become the defensemen they are today until they were 27ish and Ehrhoff didn't break out until around 25. Even look at how San Jose is letting Abeltshauser develop. Holzer is only 24 and still has a lot of development time. It's great to see Nonis not giving up on him.

Yepp. He really should be on a lower pairing and if he was those negative posters would likely have a different opinion. I like his game though and he's shown improvement. I also don't think most people realize that guys from 'tier-2' hockey countries tend to take a bit longer to develop and reach their potential. I mean, Seidenberg and Sulzer didn't really become the defensemen they are today until they were 27ish and Ehrhoff didn't break out until around 25. Even look at how San Jose is letting Abeltshauser develop. Holzer is only 24 and still has a lot of development time. It's great to see Nonis not giving up on him.

That's 100000000% right, that's why every German goes lower than they should, Kahun will go in the 6/7th round this summer and will break out next year. They never had coaches like the CHL coaches before, but they for sure have the talent.

tiffels will break out next year as well and to be honest if Draisaitl improves his skating over the summer the sky could be the limit next year. Most Germans have great second years in the CHL

I won't be able to make any updates on Wednesday on account of a couple of rather unpleasant medical prodeures I am getting done that day.
Hopefully all goes well and I will be able to get back to it on Thursday morning.

EDIT: The procedures went better than expected, and while I won't be allowed to drive for another 22 hours, I can manage the keyboard well enough. So I'll make the update from last night in a minute.
If my spelling or grammar is any worse than usual I blameit on the medication.

Too be honest, the move from the prospect-deep Oilers to the ???-filled Coyotes should actually open the door a bit to Rieder.

There are many reasons to believe that Rieder can be an NHLer much in the same capacity as Goc. The kid has wherewithall and has overcome adversity on several occasions.

He needs the natural progression, but one has to think that Pheonix grabbed him, because they know he's a guy who should make this league, while Edmonton surely knew he had possibilities, but that they have a number of prospects who are of a similar capacity.

In any case, let's hope Rieder's road to the NHL is, by default, a bit more clearcut now. The boy is a goodin'.

A little bit off topic, but Markus Eisenschmid signed a contract with the Hamburg Freezers for next year. I guess that means he is not interested in playing in the CHL, and won't be a candidate for the import draft in July.

A little bit off topic, but Markus Eisenschmid signed a contract with the Hamburg Freezers for next year. I guess that means he is not interested in playing in the CHL, and won't be a candidate for the import draft in July.

Actually, it makes it even more likely. He signed for three years, and Hamburg's GM has said that the plan is to send him to America for one or two years first.

Actually, it makes it even more likely. He signed for three years, and Hamburg's GM has said that the plan is to send him to America for one or two years first.

Thank you so much for the information. That makes more sense now. I had heard he would come over, so I was a little surprised when he signed with the Freezers. But I didn't know anything about the terms of the deal or the plans the Freezers management have for Markus.
Really glad to hear that my assumptions were dead wrong.

Already three days ago. Hope he'll get some ice-time for the Coyotes soon.

I believe he will not play for any team, anytime soon, since I understand that he has broken his hand in the OHL playoffs. He should be playing in Portland for the Pirates next season and hopefully it will be a smooth transition to the AHL.